The term “mindfulness” is popping up everywhere lately. Experts seem to recommend it for everything from weight loss to managing anxiety. However, what exactly constitutes mindfulness and how do you do it? It’s easier than you may assume.

Mindfulness is a practice in which you focus on the physical feelings of what you are doing and maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness. For example, walking mindfully is a practice in which when you walk, you focus on what you are feeling and seeing. You focus on the feeling of your feet touching the ground, the air on your face, and the sights in front of you. Pretty different than walking around your neighborhood thinking about how you’re going to get everything done, isn’t it?

It’s important to focus on all this without judging the experience as good or bad. Some people find mindfulness easier than other forms of meditation because it does not require that you “clear” the mind. Instead, you do have something to focus on and that focus can take you out of feelings of anxiety and put you in a calmer state. Of course, simply practicing mindfulness will not address everyone’s anxiety. Another step in addressing any mental health symptoms is taking a free and anonymous screening, which Aliive-Roberts County offers at http://screening.mentalhealthscreening.org/aliive-roberts-county.

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This website was developed (in part) under the grant number 20151 from the Office of National Drug Control Policy and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, US Department of Heath and Human Services. The views, policies, and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of ONDCP, SAMHSA, or HHS.